Cold front will bring storms Thursday, potential for more tornadoes

A powerful cold front could bring severe thunderstorms to northern Illinois after temperatures reach into the 70s Thursday morning, forecasters say.

Scattered storms are expected hit the Chicago area around 4 or 5 p.m., according to National Weather Service meteorologist Mark Ratzer. Blustery winds may hit the lakefront, and some storms could persist into the evening.

Storms may reach father south, near Kankakee, in the late afternoon. That's where there is potential for supercells to develop again with a tornado, hail and wind threat.

“The setup for tomorrow is somewhat similar to what we had March 10, but not quite as conducive to track prolific tornadoes,” Ratzer said. “Though there certainly is a tornado threat.”

Southern areas could also see temperatures rise to the mid or upper 80s Thursday morning ahead of the storms, he said. The Chicago area will likely reach the upper 50s and lower 60s. The western suburbs may hit the low 70s.

Temperatures may drop as the cold front rolls in further north around 4 p.m., dropping the lake front to the mid 40s.

About two weeks ago, a total of 10 tornadoes that ravaged the region, including an EF-3 that killed at least three people outside Kankakee and produced record-breaking hail.

“It’s springtime. It’s severe weather season,” Ratzer said. “Have a way to receive warnings and get to safety.”